Here are some photos that I took in and around my neighborhood, so that you could get some idea of life in Japan, and what we see on a daily basis.

• It starts on my back veranda..sort of..

• ...and in front of the building. That's a bamboo forest just across the street on the left.... It's not very big, about 5 sq.city blocks or so, but it sure is pretty!

• In the middle of the bamboo forest there is a Zen temple..... I can walk here from my house in about 4 minutes. Every morning and evening, we can hear the monks ringing the huge bell, a very deep and echoing sound...
• ...and some pathes through the bamboo to ride...

• .... or that we stroll on summer's evenings.....

• ..or just stoping to enjoy the green of the bamboo itself..

• But keeping it all green and growing can sure tire a guy out! This gardener has put in a full day!

• Meanwhile, in the village, the men are off to the public bath in the late afternoon....

• ...while I take a much deserved break next to a roadside shrine in the local woods

• Of course, any place with cherry blossoms becomes enchanting, even my university!

• I really don't mind being there at all during Cherry Blossom time!.

• I really like the view across the valley from the school best! Very Japanese!

• Of course, I enjoy some of the local temples as well, although my bike doesn't care for the snow......

• But it's the Blossoms themselves that really do it for me!

• Right now, the rice paddies have just been planted, and everything is soooo green!

• The trees around the temples are lush and verdant....

• ...and I'm ready to explore some more of Japan. Hop on and take a ride!

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